Sept. 11, 2017 — COLLEGE STATION,
Texas —Officials from key fire service
organizations of Texas are asking for monetary donations and equipment to help
local Texas fire departments impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
Texas A&M Forest Service, State Firefighters’ and Fire
Marshals’ Association, Texas Fire Chiefs Association, Texas Interstate Fire
Mutual Aid System, and State Fire Marshal’s Office, officials deployed an
online Rapid Fire Department Assessment Tool August 29 to determine any needs
local fire departments had as a result of the storm.
The initial assessment showed that sixteen
Texas fire stations were devastated, over 60 fire apparatus were destroyed and
over 300 firefighters’ homes were damaged or destroyed. For four counties the severity
of the damage has delayed assessments and losses reported are expected to
increase. Assessments will continue until affected fire departments are
contacted. Fire departments will need to
replace fire apparatus lost or severely damaged in the storm, as was fire and
rescue equipment.
“The State of Texas appreciates the
outpouring of support to Texas fire service first responders,” said Texas
A&M Forest Service Fire Chief Mark Stanford. “Hurricane Harvey devastated
the region and impacts to our fire service are no exception.”
Monetary donations for fire departments are being accepted
through SFFMA by visiting www.texasfirefighterrelief.org.
You may also donate money through the Texas Fire Chiefs Association at https://texasfireservice.org/.
To donate firefighting vehicles and equipment, please
contact the Texas A&M Forest Service Helping Hands program at http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/helpinghands/.
The Helping Hands Program allows donations of fire/rescue
equipment, fire apparatus and other items to fire departments while providing
liability relief to the donor.
###
Contacts
Phillip Truitt, Public Information Officer,
ptruitt@tfs.tamu.edu , 979-255-0591
Texas A&M Forest Service communications, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu, 979-458-6606